NotJulie, consider maybe that it wasn't from a shady pet store but instead from a chain. Alot of chain petstores (Petsmart, Petco) help host adoptions... as has been said countless times.

Petco and petsmart are not pet stores, they are pet supplies stores with adoption agencies run by the ASPCA. Chain pet stores, like the ones you find in the mall and strip plazas, are the pet stores that support puppy mills. Do not buy from a chain pet store.

As far as I'm concerned. Pestmart and Petco are pet stores. They sell pets. They may not Sell dogs and cats, but they're not the only type of pets. They Sell rabbits, mice, fish, iguanas, ect. Those are pets too. And, I'm not going to be like "oh, I'm off to the pet supply store!". I'm going to say "I'm going to the pet store."

Please don't assume that just because PetDumb do dog and cat adoption that they are holier than though, they have incredible double standards in regards to animal adoption. Where do you think the rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, gerbils, hamsters, birds, fish etc etc come from? That's right. Mill Breeders. They might not bark or meow but they deserve the same amount of respect in regards to basic animal care which these pet stores rarely, if ever, provide, because they are cheap, disposable pets that can be dumped when little Johnnie gets bored. To OP, you are an idiot, who adopts an animal without having any of the necessary items? And then leaves their dog in a car in Texas? The person who stole your stereo did that dog a favour.

He didn't leave his dog in the car.. he left it in the bed of a truck. He was actually very observant of texas laws and kept the animal in a crate. There are many drivers who do not keep animals in crates and place them in the bed of the truck. Some people do not want to carry their dogs in their vehicles, and this is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Also, I wasn't aware shelters had guinnea pigs and parrots and ish. I wish you guys would get the sticks out of your @$$es and give the OP an effing break, really.

In response to your complain about "PetDumb" and how it treats rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, gerbils, hamsters, birds, fish etc etc. I can only comment on the fish since I have been a hobbyist for 20 years and of course want the healthiest and happiest fish I can get. "PetDumb" as you call it ALWAYS has the cleanest tanks, the best educated sales staff, and the healthiest fish. They also don't carry painted or dyed fish which is nothing but animal abuse.

Painted or dyed fish...? You've GOT to be kidding me.

They have fish in walmart that glow in different colors under a blacklight. They look like tiny moving glowsticks.

#44 Glassfish are injected with dye to make them glow pink, purple, etc.. under black lights. Some fish breeders also dip fish into dye or use lasers to apply color to make freshwater fish more colorful. It's a cruel practice that good pet shops don't participate in.

To #36, I think last time I checked Petfinder there were around 1000 guinea pigs listed. Of course this doesn't include Craigslist, Freecycle etc, but yes if you look you will find homeless guinea pigs, heck there are even guinea pig specific rescues scattered across Northern America. Same goes for Parrots, they are often bought without people realising they can live for 20 years or more, they can be loud, obnoxious and destructive so often end up in a shelter. Whilst it's rarer, fish do end up being ditched too. If pet stores are selling animals, you will more than likely be able to find ones in rescues and shelters.

Keeping the dog in the bed of the truck in a secured crate is probably more comfortable for the dog then leaving it in the cab of the truck... When we bring our Chessies anywhere, especially swimming, we put them in a crate in the bed of the truck, they love it. We have to keep the tailgate up at home to keep the dogs from jumping up into the bed.